In the annals of history, the first inhabitants of Labo were the Subanons. These Tribal Groups partly shaped our humble beginnings that of being a healthy Barangay. They owned big tracts of land which should have been fortunately handed down to their children, but because of fear and ignorance, they're forced to barter their lands to the new settlers with bolos, carpentry tools, and farm implements. They were forced to move out into the hinterlands where they have new farms and established a healthy and happy family. Bloodlines tells us that we inherited our ways tracing back to our forefathers. The Subanons, the healthy Filipino generation. After the surrender of regular forces in the Philippines to the Japanese in May 1942, during World War II, Labo was not occupied by the Japanese. In October 1942 Lieut. Col. Wendell Fertig established his headquarters in nearby Ozamis. Fertig commanded the guerrilla opposition to the Japanese on Mindanao. On June 26, 1943, the Japanese invaded the area and occupied Labo. Four days later, June 30, the guerrillas attempted to retake Labo. After the Japanese there were reinforced the next day, the guerrillas retreated, leaving Labo in Japanese hands until the end of the war.
Name
There are several versions of how Labo got its name. Labo in the olden days was a deep swampy land. Nobody could step into the place because those who attempted to settle there were plunged into deep Labo River and the villagers called it "NANGALABO" or "VANISH". People from different places shortly called the place Labo. Labo also got its name from the staple food of the Subanons which were considered the healthy root crops when mixed with coco milk, gabi, camote, and lotia. They were all Labo', which also common the palatable sweet, soft and tasty a graded A food crops. Food was not a problem because our forefathers were vegetarians. Therefore, a healthy and strong generations was already planted on the seeds of time. We survived the ordeals and hardships but still remains the healthy Barangay. Fish abounds in river which are free. Carabaos, chickens, goats and cows are among the animals that were domesticated. Again, another name was attached to our place when a group of settlers coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Labo became a fighting ground, barehanded or with sharp knives and bolos among the residents and the visiting settlers, Labo then became a no man's land because many were brutally killed and the culprit remained at large. Because of LABO'-LABO' dead victims were thrown into the big Labo river or in the deep well. That was the tragic area of Barangay Labo but the people remains healthy, strong, and industrious. It sustain the family's needs still the Barangay people cultivated their farms with Labo products. Amidst the family LABO'-LABO' our people braved. Many people find Labo as inviting, peaceful and mysteriously attuned to everybody's needs seeking for peace, a place of retreat, free from pollution and away from humdrums, of the cities busy life. Today, trees, flowers, vegetables, corn and rice abound in Labo. A healthy surroundings well-kept and maintained daily, make Labo not only a healthy but also a bulawanongs Barangay Award. L-ove A-lways B-igens O-thers, is the new romantic acronym of LABO. Romantically, our fiesta is held during Valentine's Day, February 14, love-oriented people generally healthy, winsome and lovable.
Government
Barangay Officials
Councilors
Jay Arr P. Royo
Segundo L. Malig-on
Titus M. Navarro
Bernie P. Agustin
Maximo H. Basaya
Elvira E. Malig-on
Lolita E. Malig-on
Brgy. Secretary Joedemi B. Rubio Brgy. Treasurer Heidi M. Macas Brgy. Book Keeper Zendy B. Roxas
Culture
Every February, Labo National High School celebrates "Kasing-Kasing Festival," in Cebuano dialect or in English "Hearts Festival." Divine Mercy Church Araw ng Labo
